Plan to tackle predicted rise in Mid Sussex traffic

The neighbourhood plan requires the district to create 10,600 homes and 7,600 jobs, which is expected to cause problems on the A2300 between the A23, Hickstead and the A273, Burgess Hill.

The potential costs of proposed solutions range from local junction improvements at £1.1m to a full dualling of the A2300 between A23 junction at Hickstead and A273 Jane Murray Way for £20.9m.

In December 2012, the Mid Sussex transport study tested a number of growth scenarios for the District including strategic development proposals within the Burgess Hill area including an urban extension in the parishes of Ansty, Staplefield, Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common.

At this stage, a preferred option has not been identified by the County Council.

They need to finalise funding, approval and consultations, as public consultation will be carried out at the next stage of the project.

Mid Sussex District Council sought to understand the travel patterns arising from strategic land use and neighbourhood plan development scenarios.

They concluded in 2031 the rise will be 3,900 highway trips, around one third will remain localised to Burgess Hill, whilst the remaining two thirds will impact the wider transport network.

They found that widening the A2300 to a full dual carriageway would resolve the problem, a scheme which has been identified as a priority for investment in the County Council’s Strategic Transport Investment Programme

The project will be funded by a combination of highways capital funding, developer funding and funding bids

The percieved risks to the project at this feasibility stage include funding, land acquisition, and public acceptability.

The rights of those living near to any improvement scheme and users of the transport network affected will be considered in due course.

A consultant recommended add a duel carriageway on the A2300 whilst upgrading junctions and roundabouts on the A2300, A273 and A23 through Hickstead, Bolney, Job’s lane and Cuckfield.